~~~ May 16, 2009 ~~~ Western Magic ~~~

[lillygator]

morning all!

do we want all the FE's trinkets to be a surprise? Just curious, I am wanting to order things, but not sure what to order.

 

[Tink113]

Honeymoon Cruise




All of us

 

[texfinn]

Ok, so here I go again. I am back at work, sitting at my kitchen table (WFH) and listening and glancing at a training via live meeting. I should be focusing on that BUT instead I am reading DIS boards.

I am all caught up (yes, I did read them all last night instead of focusing on DH after being gone 4 nights) and am now thinking about our FE -- going to hunt online!

Still debating the excursions. I better nail it down before the weekend in case we want to do something popular with DCL.

Hudson5&Lennon3 -- THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for the pictures and your thoughts on the stingray tour. My DS (Kai) is 4 so yes, he could stay in the boat. I am searching for snorkel lessons for him and his sister before the trip but so far have only found them for 5 years and up. He is in swim lessons so quite comfortable in the water but may be freaked with the stingrays.

Another question -- do you think this is something that I could do (take the kids on the tour) without my DH?

Ok -- and another controversial topic I am sure -- have any of you ever left the kids on the ship at port while you went on an excursion without them? Not sure I want to do this but it would make it easier if DH is diving. I thought I would get everyone's feedback on this.

Oh -- and one last thing. I freaked out last night that my DS would fall off the balcony on the ship (ok, I was really tired) BUT it did stay in my head as a concern. How safe are the balconies?

Tink113 -- beautiful pics! Thanks for sharing.

Thanks!

 

[lillygator]

texfinn - what stingray tour are you doing? We are booked for the Rays Reef and Rum Point with native ways and my 4 year old will be along as well.

 

[indigodisney]

texfinn - the balconies are really safe on DCL - there is plexiglass everywhere. My DD was 5.5 years old and she was able to see through the plexiglass and she is very tall and the railing was still pretty high.

One other thing I noticed was that she tried to put her foot on the rail (the lower ones that you can see through the plexiglass) which is human nature especially if you are a kid and she was not able to (because of the plexiglass).

I was nervous about this before our first cruise with our DD and I was so glad that it was not a concern. (We had a verandah room too and it was fine).

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

Faith&Hope (Kym) and Pooh's-Honey-Pot (Sonya)--do you have a pic you want me to add to post #1 with the rest of your info?

This is us! We were at a wedding in August . . . it was so cold and all I had was that little top! Gotta love British summer time!!
Thanks for adding us in!

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

Does anyone understand the dining rotation?! I am such an amateur!! I was hoping to book us for a Palo dinner, but don't want to miss Pirate night, formal night, or the night Animators Palate lights up!!!!!! Can anyone tell me what night to go for?!

Or, if I can't get that booked, do you recommend Brunch or High Tea? That only happens on "at sea" days right? Whats the food like at the brunch (bearing in mind we hate all fish and sea-food!!!!!!!!!!!).

Thanks!

 

[texfinn]

texfinn - what stingray tour are you doing? We are booked for the Rays Reef and Rum Point with native ways and my 4 year old will be along as well.

I booked with Moby Dick tours. It was $40 per adult and $35 per child. I found it online and it has great reviews (both here and online). They allow Kai AND the group is a lot smaller than DCL so went with that one. Where are you guys going? in GC or somewhere else? I figured we would do that and then chill out on the ship after.

texfinn - the balconies are really safe on DCL - there is plexiglass everywhere. My DD was 5.5 years old and she was able to see through the plexiglass and she is very tall and the railing was still pretty high.

One other thing I noticed was that she tried to put her foot on the rail (the lower ones that you can see through the plexiglass) which is human nature especially if you are a kid and she was not able to (because of the plexiglass).

I was nervous about this before our first cruise with our DD and I was so glad that it was not a concern. (We had a verandah room too and it was fine).

Thanks for that! I was figuring the railing must be high. I am thinking I would have heard about how unsafe they were if that were the case. We took our one and only RC cruise with a verandah (it was not a fun trip) and can't imagine the cabin without the ability to sit out there and drink coffee/wine.

Does anyone understand the dining rotation?! I am such an amateur!! I was hoping to book us for a Palo dinner, but don't want to miss Pirate night, formal night, or the night Animators Palate lights up!!!!!! Can anyone tell me what night to go for?!

Or, if I can't get that booked, do you recommend Brunch or High Tea? That only happens on "at sea" days right? Whats the food like at the brunch (bearing in mind we hate all fish and sea-food!!!!!!!!!!!).

Thanks!

I read to book Palo dinner late in the week to ensure you don't miss formal night, pirate night or animator's show. We booked on Thursday (my DH birthday). I did book brunch and tea too and I HATE all seafood but the pizzas looked good and of course, we love the bubbly (or at least I do!) so figured it would be worth it!!!

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

Another question -- do you think this is something that I could do (take the kids on the tour) without my DH?

I would think so if Kai would be okay on the boat by himself for a bit. I didn't get in until the very end of our time at SC (I was the last one in the group to interact with the 'rays), so it really was a matter of minutes that I was in the water without my family. I can't remember for sure, but I'm thinking at least one Cap'n Marvin employee stayed on, too, but I'm not positive about that. If so, then he wouldn't be left completely by himself.

Is your DH wanting to go diving in GC also?

Ok -- and another controversial topic I am sure -- have any of you ever left the kids on the ship at port while you went on an excursion without them? Not sure I want to do this but it would make it easier if DH is diving. I thought I would get everyone's feedback on this.

Everyone has their own parenting style, so it is totally up to you and how comfortable you are with it. Personally, I'm a "rule follower" (and rule maker, too!) so I'm pretty set in my ways. I also tend to think a lot about the "what ifs." Not only am I concerned about not being able to be reached with the pager if something happening to my kids in the club, I'm also concerned about something happening to me in port and not being able to get back on the boat before it leaves. Then my kids are literally all alone on the ship. I'm sure this is a huge rarity that either situation happens, but I'd personally rather play it safe. But you also have to think about all the fun "adult" things you'd be able to do in port without them, like the cooking class in Coz. It's all up to you...

 

[lillygator]

ok re leaving the kids on the ship.....

we did the double dip cruise in 2005, DD's were 3 and 10 months, so Haley had to be in Flounders. A bunch of DIS'ers organized two busses to visit the ruins and then visit a school and drop off supplies. We decided to do it and leave the girls on the ship. Well DH dropped off the girls he never mentioned we would be off the ship. Flounders closes at 2. Well we ran late - the bus hit a power line in Costa Maya and when we got back to the ship Haley was in the club with her sister, but I had been a nervous wreck the whole time since I could not contact anyone.

Last May in Acapulo, Samantha did not want to get off the ship so she stayed in the club and pretty much had all the counselors to herself, she loved it.

now that they are both ckub age I would probably leave them again but be sure I told the staff where we were going. They love the beach and water too much for them to miss out on all we have planned this cruise though.

 

[lillygator]

pooh's honey pot - anyway I can send you money for some fruit gums? We just can't get them over here ----- they are my favorite!

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

Does anyone understand the dining rotation?! I am such an amateur!! I was hoping to book us for a Palo dinner, but don't want to miss Pirate night, formal night, or the night Animators Palate lights up!!!!!! Can anyone tell me what night to go for?!

The Known: Pirate night is Wed, Formal night is Mon.
The Unknown: Your dining rotation, which determines when you're in AP for the show. You get your rotation when you check in at the terminal.

I'm still trying to figure it all out, too, since it's different than it was 2 years ago. It used to be APLAPLA or PLAPLAP or LAPLAPL but now I think it's APLLAPL or PLAAPLA or LAPPLAP instead. There's been talk on the main board about the new Golden Mickeys Menu (on formal night), which was not served 2 years ago. At that time, the formal night menu was the last of the rotational menus, and now it sounds like the third rotational menu might be on Tuesday instead of Monday. Someone help if I'm getting this mixed up! (I get the feeling this is very confusing again! Sorry!)

 

[lillygator]

I think the one benefit of a bunch of us linking multiple tables is knowing your rotation ahead of time. We knew our rotation for our past two cruises because one person co-ordinated all the linked reservations.

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

How soon does it take to find out what our room number is? The 75 day mark?

I can't remember for sure, but I think it's MUCH closer to the cruise. When we booked our last one (cat 8 gty), we booked about 90 days out, and it was really close to cruise time when we finally found out. I tried checking my old cruise thread to see when I posted it, but I can't find that post. If I find it, I'll let you know.

 

[lillygator]

30 days out is the norm...I think

 

[austin77]

I can't remember for sure, but I think it's MUCH closer to the cruise. When we booked our last one (cat 8 gty), we booked about 90 days out, and it was really close to cruise time when we finally found out. I tried checking my old cruise thread to see when I posted it, but I can't find that post. If I find it, I'll let you know.

I put a post in the main fourm and some one said 35 days out is when they start to assign room numbers, they also said that they could change untill you check in at the port. so I am guessing thats correct? I dont know?

 

[minniemmom]

Hi Everyone! I haven't been on in awhile; I work for a CPA; it's officially TAX SEASON!!!!

I hope we are on the FE list. We definitely want to participate.

We have changed our accomodations. We now have a navigators verandah with an inside room across the hall. Our cabin #'s are: 5640 & 5639. We will have 1 FE. DS's will be 21 & 19 at time of sailing. Still have 2nd seating dinner.

I'm reading through all posts to see what I've missed!

On another note, we met Samantha Brown this past weekend at a travel show in NYC! We had a very nice Disney conversation. She's very excited about next year's sailings. She said she would love to do a Disney cruise show! She signed a picture to us saying, "See you at Disney!" She is a very nice person!

We also met Andrew Zimmern from Bizarre Foods. He is a really nice guy! We got boxes of crickets (vinegar & salt or cheddar & bacon flavored!) to take home! I haven't tried them yet; probably won't tho! We had a conversation with him about Conch fritters in Key West. Very knowledgeable man! Enjoyed the day very much!

 

[Disgirl83]

If everyone would be interested in linking reservations, DH and I would be willing. We just don't have a clue how to do it.

On another note, we met Samantha Brown this past weekend at a travel show in NYC!

That's so awesome. If I could have any job in the world I would want her's, but definately not Andrew Zimmerman's, lol!!!

This is a little late but we probably wouldn't do the lanyard thing since I think thats part of the Castaway Club gift. I've seen the bracelets on other meet's posts and they are pretty neat.

 

[texfinn]

On another note, we met Samantha Brown this past weekend at a travel show in NYC! We had a very nice Disney conversation. She's very excited about next year's sailings. She said she would love to do a Disney cruise show! She signed a picture to us saying, "See you at Disney!" She is a very nice person!

We also met Andrew Zimmern from Bizarre Foods. He is a really nice guy! We got boxes of crickets (vinegar & salt or cheddar & bacon flavored!) to take home! I haven't tried them yet; probably won't tho! We had a conversation with him about Conch fritters in Key West. Very knowledgeable man! Enjoyed the day very much!

Very very cool!!!! As for bizarre foods -- my DH ate a scorpion in Beijing -- that is the extent of our crazy food experience. Can't imagine either of us trying crickets -- ok, maybe DH but not me!!!

ok re leaving the kids on the ship.....

we did the double dip cruise in 2005, DD's were 3 and 10 months, so Haley had to be in Flounders. A bunch of DIS'ers organized two busses to visit the ruins and then visit a school and drop off supplies. We decided to do it and leave the girls on the ship. Well DH dropped off the girls he never mentioned we would be off the ship. Flounders closes at 2. Well we ran late - the bus hit a power line in Costa Maya and when we got back to the ship Haley was in the club with her sister, but I had been a nervous wreck the whole time since I could not contact anyone.

Last May in Acapulo, Samantha did not want to get off the ship so she stayed in the club and pretty much had all the counselors to herself, she loved it.

now that they are both ckub age I would probably leave them again but be sure I told the staff where we were going. They love the beach and water too much for them to miss out on all we have planned this cruise though.

Everyone has their own parenting style, so it is totally up to you and how comfortable you are with it. Personally, I'm a "rule follower" (and rule maker, too!) so I'm pretty set in my ways. I also tend to think a lot about the "what ifs." Not only am I concerned about not being able to be reached with the pager if something happening to my kids in the club, I'm also concerned about something happening to me in port and not being able to get back on the boat before it leaves. Then my kids are literally all alone on the ship. I'm sure this is a huge rarity that either situation happens, but I'd personally rather play it safe. But you also have to think about all the fun "adult" things you'd be able to do in port without them, like the cooking class in Coz. It's all up to you... .

Thank you guys for your feedback. If DH weren't going diving I think it would be a no brainer and I think we would leave them for a bit, then go back, get them and go to the beach. On my own, it is making me nervous thinking of dealing with them both on my own in Mexico. They aren't that little and I speak the language (pretty much) BUT just makes me nervous. IF I can work out the dolphin thing then we will probably do that but if not, may have to book the cooking and decide later. On that note, how long do we have after booking an excursion to cancel it? DH could go diving in GC instead of Coz which is why I asked about the stingrays. Decisions decisions decisions. I am up against the same deadline as y'all since I think that after this weekend, everything will be impossible to book so better to book before then. This is making me NUTS!!

AS for linking dining reservations -- I am game but we have the LATE seating, and possibly two tired kids (DS4 and DD7). We should also note, me and DH do enjoy our wine in case that is offensive to anyone. Would love to meet up with anyone who sounds like they could put up with us AND who is FUN!!!!!! (aren't we all???)

Ok, finally got the DVD from Disney and popping it on for the kids. Sure I will have a MILLION questions after that!

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

Mati--just thought I'd also share with you that in GC, the boys wanted to go back to the ship after lunch to go swimming, and Justin wanted to shop a little (Harley shop, etc.). As the boys & I were on the tender boat, I got this sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that he was going to miss the last tender boat or have something happen that he wouldn't make it back on, so it's not just being separated from the kids that worried me--it was being away from him, too!! Of course, in the end, all was okay, but it's so different knowing that neither one of us had our cell phones to be able to contact each other.